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Silver Street Consulting, LLC

The Eagle River Youth Coalition (ERYC) regularly conducts a scientific survey of student

behaviors and perceptions in Eagle County, and then shares the results with adolescent

service providers to inform program planning. This 2012 needs assessment is a synthesis of the

latest survey results, with a focus on alcohol consumption, drinking and driving, marijuana use

and physical activity and nutrition. It compares local data with the state and nation, and

offers recommended strategies to address the issues.Alcohol Consumption

The illegal consumption of alcohol by those under age 21 is prevalent among high school

students. Locally, by the time students are seniors, 89 percent have tried alcohol, 60 percent

have drank it within the past 30 days, and 42 percent have recently consumed five or more

drinks in a row, also known as binge drinking. Similar to state and national figures, 22 percent

of students reportedly had their first drink before age 13. The allure of alcohol use is strong as

local teens explain that the popular students drink and thus, it can be a ticket to automatic

acceptance. Also, drinking is the major weekend activity and students who dont engage inthis behavior may feel left out. Students report the most common place that alcohol is

consumed is in someone elses home, where the alcohol is already provided, most likely by a

young adult. They say this occurs in every town. According to the literature, one of the most

affective ways of reducing alcohol use by adolescents is to limit access through laws, public

education and enforcement.

Drinking and Driving

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among adolescents. Inexperience,

coupled with a greater likelihood to speed and become distracted, makes them atsignificantly higher risk of a car crash than adults. With the addition of alcohol, the risk of a

serious crash increases dramatically. Locally, 11 percent of high school students reported

drinking and driving, and 27 percent reported riding with a driver that had been drinking within

the previous 30 days. Students say the main reason for the behavior is that they have no other

way to get home. Additionally, teens drink and drive because they think they wont get

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYAssessment of Adolescent Health in Eagle County, 2012

Eagle River Youth Coalition

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caught; they believe they can tell when they have drank too much to drive; and the activity is

illegal, which is attractive to certain teens. The National Highway Transportation Safety

Administration recommends high visibility enforcement of both drinking and driving laws, and

graduated drivers license laws as a means to address the issue.

Marijuana Use

Marijuana use has negative effects on memory and attention, and can impact learning for

adolescents. Marijuana is also addictive through repeated use. In Eagle County, 39 percent

of high school students reported that they have tried marijuana, including 61 percent of

seniors. Also, 29 percent of students reported they used it within the past 30 days. In fact, more

students now use marijuana than smoke cigarettes. The percentage of Eagle County students

that use marijuana is similar to both the state and nation. According to studies, teens that

have psychosocial risk factors such as family conflict, a low level of school engagement, and

an antisocial peer group are more likely to use marijuana. Local students say that in-school

drug testing programs are a deterrent. The national literature recommends community-based

interventions that build protective factors in youth.

Physical Activity and Nutrition

Over the past 20 years, the staggering increase in the percentage of overweight and obese

children and adults in the U.S. has alarmed health officials. Nationally, 28 percent of students

are either overweight or obese, compared to Eagle County students at 14 percent. While,Eagle County doesnt have the same overweight and obesity problem as the rest of the

nation, local youth can still benefit from programs that promote good nutrition and physical

activity. Establishing these habits early often transfers to healthy behaviors in adulthood. The

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends strategies that promote nutrition and

fitness such as restricting the availability of unhealthy foods and sugary drinks in schools, child

care centers and recreation facilities; increasing physical education opportunities; and zoning

for mixed-use development in order to increase walking and biking by residents.